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Net Introduction
Malaria is a leading cause of childhood mortality in Kenya. Research in Kilifi, on
the Kenyan east coast, showed that malaria-
At the time of this project, while mosquito nets were available in most East African cities and large towns, insecticides were often available only through NGOs and UNICEF. Net treatment with insecticide as a means of reducing risk of malaria was virtually unknown outside of research projects and communities covered by these organizations.
Therefore, project activities were designed to assist a major East African medical
supply network evaluate locally-
Objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of interventions to promote widespread
awareness of insecticide-
Results
In 1998, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) took over the project training and monitoring activities. While there were several channels through which nets and insecticides were distributed, this project was particularly concerned with promoting and monitoring those provided by MEDS (MEDS supplies drugs and medical supplies to 600 Health Centers and NGOs in East Africa).
MEDS continued to stock and sell nets and insecticides as regular stock supply items to the over 600 units it was serving in Kenya and Tanzania throughout the reporting period. MEDS Units included mission hospitals, government health centres, and health services supported by NGOs. Most of these facilities have primary health care departments or staff members who coordinate community outreach activities. These workers are key to the successful promotion of ITNs in rural Africa.
In November 1998, a baseline survey was carried out in the Suba and Tana River Districts
to establish baseline insecticide-
The results from this study showed that although 44% (Tana River District, E. Kenya) and 22% (Suba District, W. Kenya) of < 24 month old children were reported to be regularly sleeping under mosquito nets, only 9% and 34% of these nets, respectively, had been treated in the past six months. The results of the two sample areas served not only to provide baseline coverage data, but they also indicated the importance of accurately monitoring ITN interventions.
Recommendations
A handbook and curriculum were developed to facilitate training of trainers for health workers on the promotion of ITNs at the community level within the Child Survival program of CRS/Kenya. A total of 111 trainers were trained. The training uses a popular adult education methodology with a focus on behavior change, rather than simply on a transfer of knowledge. A variety of participatory training methodologies were used, such as group discussions and buzzing.
The following documents reported on the various components of the project:
- Curriculum And Facilitators Guide For Trainers of Trainers on the Promotion of Insecticide
Treated Mosquito Nets. Kimwadu Njai -
CRS/Kenya Child Survival Program. January 2000 - CRS 1998 sample surveys in Suba and Tana River Districts to establish base-
line ITBN use among children aged 0- . B. Snow. January 1998.23 months - Promotion of Impregnated Mosquito Nets in the Control of Malaria. Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS) Kenya, August 1999.
Project profile
Key partners: Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) and PATH Kenya
Location: Kenya
Duration: 1998 -
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